Read Online Dark Grace by M. Lauryl Lewis - Free Book Online Page B

knelt down on the bottom of the boat so that I was level with where her body lay partly on the seat. I put my face to where I imagined her face was and just breathed. I closed my eyes and set my lips on the blanket, hoping I was close to her cheek. I kissed her through the cloth. She felt so stiff. I knew Boggs and Nate were standing beside me, waiting. I felt Gus put his hands on my shoulders, signaling that it was time. He helped me stand, my belly making it difficult. As I was pulled away from her, I finally let the tears fall. I didn’t have the courage to watch as her body was released into the sea. Gus held me against his chest, and I listened to the splash that her body made as it entered the Sound. My hands were clenched in fists, resting on his chest, and I began shaking. We cried there together for a long moment. After a while, Boggs took me from Gus and held me close to him.
    “We need to get back to the others,” he whispered. I nodded and dried my eyes. “Sit down, ok? I’ll wrap you up.”
    I did as instructed, sitting in the nearest chair. I made myself look down as the boat began moving forward, in fear of seeing Emilie’s body floating in the waves behind us. Boggs sat nearby, which gave me some comfort. I grew even more exhausted as we neared our own boat. I was vaguely aware when we slowed. Once the motor stopped and our motion was a lull in the calm waves, Boggs’ voice brought me out of my trance. I looked up at him and forced myself to stand. Nathan was busy tying one boat off to the other, and Susan was doing her best to help him.
    “Let’s get you on board, kid,” said Boggs in a soothing voice.
    “I’m not a kid anymore, Boggs,” I sniffled. I wasn't trying to be mean; it just made me feel inadequate after how much life had changed in the past weeks.
    “I know, Zo. I know.”
    I followed him to the point where the two boats were joined. He made the transition from the smaller boat to the larger first, and then helped me keep my balance while I did the same.
    “Zoe, go ahead and go below. Dry off, warm up. I’ll send Gus down. Nathan and I’ll take care of getting the supplies transferred over.”
    I nodded. As I began walking toward the stairs that led below, Susan stopped me and hugged me warmly. I found myself returning the embrace.
    “The girls are down below, Zoe. Let’s both go down, huh?”
    “Ok.”
    “I’m so sorry. We all loved Emilie.”
    “She was such a good soul,” I managed to answer.
    Susan walked behind me while I descended the stairway. Jane and Abbey were both sitting side-by-side at the small table in the galley and they both had reddened eyes from crying.
    “Is she really gone?” asked Abbey. She sounded so incredibly sad.
    I nodded. “Yes, Abbey, she really is.”
    “I liked her,” said Jane.
    “We said good-bye before we got back here, and Boggs said some nice words. She’s in Heaven now, girls. You have to take comfort in that, ok?”
    They both nodded. Abbey slumped forward and rested her head on the table, looking utterly miserable.
    “Are we going back to the island?” asked Abbey.
    Susan walked to the table and sat across from both the girls. “No, it’s not safe there anymore. Uncle Nate said he recognized one of the people from back at the compound. Somehow they found us, munchkins.”
    I heard Gus’ footfalls on the stairs behind us. I turned to look at him. He looked broken.
    “We’ll stay on the water tonight,” he said. “Then head for the lighthouse tomorrow. Susan, do you mind if Zoe and I have some alone time in the bunk room?”
    “Sure, Gus. No problem.”
    “Can you bring a blanket in once the guys bring one down?”
    “Of course.”
    I didn’t question his request. I got up and followed him into the small room that held the bunks.
    “Sit down, Zoe.”
    I looked at him. He looked like he had aged several years in the span of the past several hours. I sat on the narrow bunk I had slept on many times while we used the